Kuala Lumpur does not need local council elections to be well-managed, a Bersatu leader said, in response to fresh demands from DAP following the appointment of Fadlun Mak Ujud as the new mayor.
Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz argued that holding elections for the mayor’s post would only invite politicking, lobbying, and opportunities for corruption.
“There is no need to burden the people and future leaders with elections,” he told FMT. Instead, he suggested that the city should continue appointing capable administrators, especially those who bring creative ideas to the role.
The debate resurfaced after federal territories DAP chief Tan Kok Wai reiterated his party’s long-standing call for the restoration of local council elections in Kuala Lumpur.
Tan said such elections “must be brought back as soon as possible,” adding that despite many individuals having served as mayor or federal territories minister over the years, none had truly met the standard needed to build a well-run capital city with high integrity.
Fadlun Mak Ujud officially took over as Kuala Lumpur mayor on Saturday, replacing Maimunah Sharif whose term was originally set to end on 16 August next year but was cut short.
Tun Faisal countered that Kuala Lumpur has performed strongly even without an elected mayor.
Last year, the city was ranked the second most outstanding in Southeast Asia — behind only Singapore — in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2024.
In July, Kuala Lumpur entered the global top 15 best student cities for the first time, securing 12th place in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds Best Student Cities Rankings. It also placed fourth in Asia, after Seoul, Tokyo, and Singapore.
PAS central committee member Awang Hashim weighed in, saying Tan’s criticism of past mayors and ministers stemmed from political differences.
He pointed out that none of the previous office-holders had ever supported local elections, implying they were not aligned with DAP’s agenda on the issue.
The exchange highlights the ongoing divide between parties that favour appointed administrators for efficiency and those pushing for elected local leaders to enhance accountability in the capital.
